Hi everyone, 

3rd year... & we are getting BIGGER. 

Last year the amazing Havago Vision Crusaders team of Julian & Bronwyn Aitchison, Jessica & Drew Bilbe, my old man Mark & myself raised over $21k thanks to the incredible support of YOU, our family & friends. These funds go along way in our fight against cancer. So thank you:).

THIS YEAR I AM PART OF THE GRAND SLAM VISION CRUSADERS.... There are 25 in our team. Half are cancer survivors. All have amazing stories and all are inspirational led a crazy man called Klaus Bartosch who has gained the support of Virgin Australia. I also have some great friends joining in on the Sydney Ride, so make your you support them. 

WHY I RIDE

“How do you handle knowing that someone you love is in pain, that someone who for as long as you can remember has been the definition in your eyes of strength?

 Being apart of the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse Cancer Foundation & the RTCC has instilled warmth & light into my life & those I love through awareness of the fact that we are all in this fight together.

 As a fit & healthy 23 year old, The Grand Slam is about pulling together our separate yet shared experiences of grief, love & emotion to raise awareness & find comfort in the knowledge that funds raised will enrich the lives of our loved ones in the future.

 While my Dad & Sister are both cancer survivors, I am riding for 'The Douglas Clan' & the memory of my Nanna Phyl & late uncle Tommy who were both undoubtedly two of life's great characters.”

***

Below I thought should pay tribute & share the eulogy I gave at my Nan's funeral.

"We are not taught how to grieve, how to prepare for someone you love passing, how to handle knowing that someone you love is in pain.

I somehow wish we were taught how to not be afraid, how to be selfless and step up and simply be present with those you love when they need you the most.

My Nan was always here for me and my family. The pallative nurses would often comment on our family and say how wonderful we were in supporting Nan at home. The reality is that our presence and support was not a reflection of us but infact only a modest reflection of the type of person that our Nan was. Who amazingly even in her final days should have been re-nicknamed "smiles" as no matter the level of discomfort, nan was never short of cracking her twinkling smile or sharing a hug. 

When I think of my Nan. It scares me to think of life without her. Of our family without our nanna Phyl to keep the peace, to love us, to scold us, to be the one to host Christmas.

I'm sure I speak for all nine of us grandchildren when I say that there is not a place I have ever felt safer, or slept better, than under Nans roof. Especialy, when a trip to nan?s meant endless days at Port Kembla beach, a trough full of coco pops, and countless adventures picking mulberry?s or feeding horses over the back fence.

If I could paint like my aunty Ellen I would paint a masterpiece of a strong woman, a nurturing woman, a woman that sure loves her tea. I would paint the most honest, genuine, selfless person you could ever imagine. Nan was certainly one of life?s great characters, a multi-tasker, a world-class crossword breaker, a born to be mother and in my humble opinion one of God?s finest pieces of work. 

Our Nanna Phyl was the picture book perfect Nan that you dream of. The Nan that would follow you half way out of primbee just to wave you good bye, even if you were only on your way to the shops to pick up some milk or her next copy of new idea. She was the Nan who would expect a call as you arrive back home.

She was the Nan who even at the age of 83 would allow me to turn up usually unexpected with a few mates. She was also the Nan who would join and stay up to 3am playing cards, with only the one request, "Troy I like your friends staying but do you mind if this time you boys make the beds".

Nanna Phyl in our family made all the traditions, yahtzee till 3am, rummy, christmas, the clown measuring table of which Adam still remains the tallest Dougo, she was also the encyclopedia for the families birthdays. 

The truth is my Nan is the strongest woman I know. She has much to be proud of. She is who I can thank for her son. She is who I can thank for my whole family,  she is the lady who didn't share the fact she was sick, purely because she didnt want people to fuss, choosing to focus on joining my 21st birthday party, than share her news. 

Its true Nan, I am scared you've gone, but perhaps it's partly because you've made it bloody hard for anyone to live up to you.

Nevertheless, we have to step up and live the traditions you've left to us. Nanna, I love you, we all do, you've made us who we are today and I only hope we can make you proud. You always would say how lucky you were to have us as grand children. But the truth is we are the lucky ones Nan, for having had you in our lives and imprinted in our hearts and memory."

 

Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, 17-18 Aug 2013

Chris O'Brien Lifehouse at RPA, Sydney, 12-13 Oct 2013

WA Institute of Medical Research, Perth, 19-20 Oct 2013

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 26-27 Oct 2013

Cancer Society, Auckland, 16-17 Nov 2013

Flinders Medical Centre Foundation, Adelaide, 30 Nov - 1 Dec 2013